First, we had a mess with a black fellow we called Bustamente as cook; but he got the fever, and had to go.

We next took a soldier, but he deserted, and carried off my double-barreled shot-gun, which I prized very highly.

To meet this condition of facts, Colonel Mason ordered that liberal furloughs should be given to the soldiers, and promises to all in turn, and he allowed all the officers to draw their rations in kind.

As the actual valve of the ration was very large, this enabled us to live.

Halleck, Murray, Ord, and I, boarded with Dona Augustias, and turned in our rations as pay for our board.
Some time in September, 1848, the official news of the treaty of peace reached us, and the Mexican War was over.